Excess Detection of Chlorpyrifos in Natural Spice Products, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Issues Recall

Chlorpyrifos, a residual pesticide, was detected above the standard level in a natural spice product, prompting the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to halt sales and issue a recall.

The problematic product is Mazao powder, produced by Mokhwa, a food manufacturing and processing company located in Cheongju, Chungbuk, and repackaged and sold by Haena Food in Dongdaemun, Seoul.

Mazao powder is made from the fruit of the Chinese prickly ash tree, from which chlorpyrifos, an insecticide, was detected above permissible levels.

According to test results, chlorpyrifos should be detected at levels below 0.01 mg/kg, but this product showed a level of 0.65 mg/kg, significantly exceeding the standard.

The recalled product is marked with a consumer expiration date of January 2, 2027, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has directed a swift recall of the product.

Consumers are advised not to consume the product and to return it to the place of purchase.

Additionally, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety plans to strengthen management and supervision of related companies to prevent the recurrence of such issues. Chlorpyrifos is an insecticide used for pest control in crops and can be harmful to humans, necessitating thorough management.

Image source: Photo provided by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Sichuan pepper in mala soup / pixabay